Several people are trapped under rubble after a building in the Gesima market, Kitutu Masaba, in Nyamira County collapsed on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
Kenya Red Cross Society said a search and rescue mission had been initiated after the 5-storey building collapsed with an unknown number of people inside.
“Several people are feared trapped in a five-storey building collapse reported at Gesima in Nyamira County. Search and rescue efforts are underway,” Kenya Red Cross said.
Three people including two children and an elderly man aged 70 have so far been rescued from the rubble.
Speaking to the media, Masaba North police commander Robert Ndambiri said the three escaped with minor injuries and were ferried to Keroka subcounty hospital for treatment.
“Wote wameokolewa na wakakimbizwa katika hospitali yetu ya Keroka subcounty hospital. Na wote hali yao sio mbaya sana na wanaendelea kutibiwa pale,” Ndambiri said.
The police boss further said that the ill-fated building had been condemned in 2014 and that no one was living in it.
He added that the building fell on three other houses as it was collapsing, trapping people inside.
“Ni building ambayo hakuna mtu alikua anaishi ndani. Naambiwa na engineer wa hapa ilikua condemned sometimes in 2014. Imeanguka ikaumiza jirani,” Ndambiri said.
Witnesses said they heard cracking sounds before the building came tumbling down.
“Tulipokua tunaendelea kuongea na rafiki yangu tukaskia sauti kidogo tukaenda kuangalia kuenda juu tukapata ni ghorofa imefanya some cracks. Kuenda kuangalia vizuri tukapata ghorofa imeanza kuteremka,” Michael Momanyi said.
Japheth Momanyi, who escaped alive together with his children, thanked the people who rescued his family.
“Nasema asante kwa wale ambao wamechukua mkono yao na fikira yao yote kusaidia wana wangu amboa waliangukiwa na nyumba hio,” Japheth Momanyi said.
